SATURDAY CHAT

Picking new LHS leader a watershed moment

LOWELL -- It's not easy for an out-of-towner to come into Lowell for a high-powered position. Ask Bernie Lynch, who only came here from Chelmsford.

It is even more difficult to follow in the footsteps of a local guy who had a great run for nearly two decades and was very popular in the community.

So it came as no great surprise when it was announced last week that Lowell High Headmaster Ed Rozmiarek would not be returning for the next school year.

An obviously bright man, Rozmiarek was assistant principal of North Reading High School when he accepted the Lowell High job, to replace retiring Headmaster William Samaras.

But for whatever reason, he and Superintendent of Schools Jean Franco decided a change was in order.

Lowell High has an incredible history and, under Samaras, had a remarkable two decades, rebuilding the physical plant, creating the Latin Lyceum, keeping the best and brightest students in the school, and gaining great recognition from outside authorities as one of the best urban high schools in America.

I've long seen the high school as one of the key elements in the community for Lowell to maintain a middle-class population at a better rate than most old industrial cities.

People had confidence their youngsters could get a great education and experience a slice of what the real America is like with the incredible mix of minorities in the Kirk Street school.

The high school was founded during a great controversy five years before Lowell became a city.

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The launching of the high school in 1831 caused a huge split between the then-powerful mill owners and community leaders.

In that era, mill owners provided the most money to fund the public schools through grade 8. When community folks decided they wanted a high school, the mill owners objected, and indicated that an eighth-grade education was enough for the children of mill workers.

But the community won out. Lowell High opened its doors on Middlesex Street, becoming the first high school in the state to be both co-educational and integrated.

It continues today as a high school that has given minority youngsters their first steps toward living the American dream. It has accomplished alumni in all walks of life.

With all that as a backdrop, the decision on who becomes the next headmaster of this historic facility is one of those watershed issues that will impact the future of Lowell for a long time.

This will be the biggest decision of Franco's career thus far, and it will be part of her legacy as head of the city's school system.

It is, basically, her call.

The superintendent has developed a great sense of Lowell as a community during her various roles and is well aware of the impact this decision will have on the city and its public schools.

She knows Lowell High needs a leader who has great respect for the school's history and has the desire to continue the tradition to ensure that every youngster has the opportunity for a great education.

Public schools face great challenges that didn't exist years ago. With the development of charter schools, there is now competition for students.

If public schools don't strive for the best, they are at risk of a serious decline in the quality of student mix.

It's critical that key positions are filled with proven dedicated people who will fight for the best for their students.

I've had a chance to work with Franco, and I'm sure she will guide the process to the best possible conclusion.

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